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Snowbots
How do the robot children of Clackentown spend snow days? They have supersonic snowball fights, make robot angels with wing nuts moving up and down, take hot oil baths to thaw out the joints, and receive eskimo kisses on metal noses at bedtime.
Author Aaron Reynolds and illustrator David Barneda team up to tell a hilarious story about two favorite subjects—robots and snow days!
Author Aaron Reynolds and illustrator David Barneda team up to tell a hilarious story about two favorite subjects—robots and snow days!
40 pages, Hardcover
First published October 12, 2010
9 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Aaron Reynolds
100 books237 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Aaron Reynolds is a New York Times Bestselling Author of many highly acclaimed books for kids, including Dude!, Creepy Carrots!, Creepy Pair of Underwear!, Nerdy Birdy, and tons more. He frequently visits schools and his highly participatory presentations are a blast for kids and teachers alike. He lives in the Chicago area with his wife, two kids, four cats, and between three and ten fish, depending on the day.
(source: Amazon)
Aaron Reynolds is a New York Times Bestselling Author of many highly acclaimed books for kids, including Dude!, Creepy Carrots!, Creepy Pair of Underwear!, Nerdy Birdy, and tons more. He frequently visits schools and his highly participatory presentations are a blast for kids and teachers alike. He lives in the Chicago area with his wife, two kids, four cats, and between three and ten fish, depending on the day.
(source: Amazon)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
January 22, 2020
Rhyming text tells the story of little robots who enjoy a snow day just as much as human children. I think this one might have been a bit more enthralling with better artwork.
December 2, 2022
Found this little treasure at the library just before a real snowday. It's a cute little rhyming book full of nostalgia for a good storm.
January 21, 2017
Snowbots is a lighthearted read that is perfect for young children on a snowy day. The sing-song rhyme and lively illustrations tell the playful story of robot children on a snow day. The mechanical vocabulary creates a humorous parody that is fun to read aloud. While no deep meaning or lessons can be found here, it is a whimsical read that is sure to delight kids who love snow and/or robots!
December 15, 2016
You know how animals portraying children are often absurd, for example the ones wearing shirts but not pants? Well, robots portraying children is even more ridiculous, at least as done here.
Or, said another way: The author's bio in the back says this book is a "smashup" or snow days and robots. Yup, I agree, a smashup broken mess, rather than an honest mashup.
Or, yet another: The only way I can give this two stars instead of one is by reading it as a parody.
I do like the "copper ducky" that "squeaks and quacks."
My 20 yo son says it's "eerie," especially the text... but at least it rhymes well, and the pictures are mainly just "unusual."
Or, said another way: The author's bio in the back says this book is a "smashup" or snow days and robots. Yup, I agree, a smashup broken mess, rather than an honest mashup.
Or, yet another: The only way I can give this two stars instead of one is by reading it as a parody.
I do like the "copper ducky" that "squeaks and quacks."
My 20 yo son says it's "eerie," especially the text... but at least it rhymes well, and the pictures are mainly just "unusual."
December 20, 2021
Gear up to enjoy this wacky, well-oiled story about robots and snow! In Clackentown, the metal moms, dads and robot kids spend time in the winter weather by sledding, having snowball fights and drinking cups of hot cocoa with axle grease. With clever rhymes and silly illustrations, Reynolds and Barneda capture the magic of winter for everyone, including machines.
Check this book out at the Villa Park Public Library!
Check this book out at the Villa Park Public Library!
February 20, 2020
Very fun and clever! The rhyming verse is engaging, though some of the made-up words might catch readers by surprise during read-alouds. The use of "Eskimo kiss" in the text will likely be noted by culturally conscious readers, but the text can easily be modified on the fly to avoid the use of the word.
July 1, 2023
Cute rhyming story about Robots, Chip McSqueak and Clockentyne (sister) when they got a surprise snow day from Bottley Grade School. Full of clever machinery references and darling artwork this book is a hit. Enjoy.
June 29, 2017
Chip McSqueak and sister Clockentyne enjoy a snow day away from Bottley Grade School.
September 18, 2017
7-year-old daughter: 🤖🤖🤖🤖
5-year-old daughter: 🤖🤖🤖
5-year-old daughter: 🤖🤖🤖
January 15, 2019
Cute, rhyming story about robot children and a snow day.
October 9, 2019
This was so cute. I loved everything about it, might be a new wintertime favorite!
November 4, 2019
Lincoln was kind of bored by it
November 5, 2021
This was one rhyming book that actually had rhymes that work.
January 21, 2023
Cute rhymes, but forgettable.
December 23, 2014
Horn Book (Spring 2011)
Rhyming text relates a typical snow-day adventure--with a robot twist. The McSqueak kid-robots sled on trashcan lids and make ice sculptures with their chainsaw hands. When a wintry blast freezes the robots, they "warm up every part and piece" with "cocoa spiked with axle grease." Rich acrylics and colored pencils add warmth to the snowbound residents of Clackentown.
Kirkus Reviews (October 1, 2010)
When Clackentown wakes up to a "blizzard for the record books," school is canceled and all the little bots rush out to play, "remote control completely lost." The dry humor in Reynolds's rhyming verse comes out in both vocabulary (the robot children brush "fenders" instead of hair, the wind's "like a robot trash compactor") and situation (the kids make ice sculptures "thanks, in part, / to chainsaw hands," to warm up after their day of play they drink "cocoa spiked with axle grease"). Barneda provides a cast of mechanical characters in a variety of models; in addition to the chainsaw hands, some kids have caterpillar treads instead of feet, and the dog rolls on little wheels (though it's too bad the only identified girl is depicted, oh-so-predictably, as pink). This gearhead flight of fancy should have broad appeal. (Picture book. 3-6)
Publishers Weekly (November 1, 2010)
Combining two of kids' favorite things-snow and robots-Reynolds's highly inventive story features a robot family preparing for school ("Brush off fenders,/ shine and clean./ Cereal with gasoline"), only to discover that it's a snow day. Barneda's imaginative acrylics and colored pencil illustrations depict robots making snow angels, sledding, and eventually being frozen by "a crushing wind-chill factor" into ice cubes, to be towed home by their loving parents ("Robot kids? Refrigerated./ Robot parents? ACTIVATED!"). Reynolds creates a robot world ordinary enough that readers should easily relate, and the poetic form allows for some creative rhymes and details ("Surprises in the scenery/ send shocks to their machinery"). After warming up, the robot children are tucked into bed with a loving good night "Eskimo kiss on metal nose." Ages 5-8. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
School Library Journal (November 1, 2010)
PreS-Gr 1-It's a snow day and for the robot children, sledding, snow angels, and snowball fights are all on tap. Some of them stay out too long and freeze into ice cubes, only to be rescued by "metallic moms/and dads of chrome" who warm them up with "cocoa spiked with axle grease" and hot oil baths. Using bouncy rhyming text and a sure ear for machine talk, Reynolds will delight young robot fans with references to wiping sleep "rust" from eyes; eating cereal with gasoline, and losing remote controls. The acrylic and colored pencil artwork features an array of mechanical kids and household props and plug-ins. The cool, blue-tinged snow scenes contrast with the warm yellows and browns of the house interiors. Libraries with robot fans won't want to pass on this snowy fun.-Marge Loch-Wouters, La Crosse Public Library, WI (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Rhyming text relates a typical snow-day adventure--with a robot twist. The McSqueak kid-robots sled on trashcan lids and make ice sculptures with their chainsaw hands. When a wintry blast freezes the robots, they "warm up every part and piece" with "cocoa spiked with axle grease." Rich acrylics and colored pencils add warmth to the snowbound residents of Clackentown.
Kirkus Reviews (October 1, 2010)
When Clackentown wakes up to a "blizzard for the record books," school is canceled and all the little bots rush out to play, "remote control completely lost." The dry humor in Reynolds's rhyming verse comes out in both vocabulary (the robot children brush "fenders" instead of hair, the wind's "like a robot trash compactor") and situation (the kids make ice sculptures "thanks, in part, / to chainsaw hands," to warm up after their day of play they drink "cocoa spiked with axle grease"). Barneda provides a cast of mechanical characters in a variety of models; in addition to the chainsaw hands, some kids have caterpillar treads instead of feet, and the dog rolls on little wheels (though it's too bad the only identified girl is depicted, oh-so-predictably, as pink). This gearhead flight of fancy should have broad appeal. (Picture book. 3-6)
Publishers Weekly (November 1, 2010)
Combining two of kids' favorite things-snow and robots-Reynolds's highly inventive story features a robot family preparing for school ("Brush off fenders,/ shine and clean./ Cereal with gasoline"), only to discover that it's a snow day. Barneda's imaginative acrylics and colored pencil illustrations depict robots making snow angels, sledding, and eventually being frozen by "a crushing wind-chill factor" into ice cubes, to be towed home by their loving parents ("Robot kids? Refrigerated./ Robot parents? ACTIVATED!"). Reynolds creates a robot world ordinary enough that readers should easily relate, and the poetic form allows for some creative rhymes and details ("Surprises in the scenery/ send shocks to their machinery"). After warming up, the robot children are tucked into bed with a loving good night "Eskimo kiss on metal nose." Ages 5-8. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
School Library Journal (November 1, 2010)
PreS-Gr 1-It's a snow day and for the robot children, sledding, snow angels, and snowball fights are all on tap. Some of them stay out too long and freeze into ice cubes, only to be rescued by "metallic moms/and dads of chrome" who warm them up with "cocoa spiked with axle grease" and hot oil baths. Using bouncy rhyming text and a sure ear for machine talk, Reynolds will delight young robot fans with references to wiping sleep "rust" from eyes; eating cereal with gasoline, and losing remote controls. The acrylic and colored pencil artwork features an array of mechanical kids and household props and plug-ins. The cool, blue-tinged snow scenes contrast with the warm yellows and browns of the house interiors. Libraries with robot fans won't want to pass on this snowy fun.-Marge Loch-Wouters, La Crosse Public Library, WI (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2012
I love the snow. Living in Northern Utah, that’s a good thing, although we haven’t been hammered by a snowpocalypse like last winter. My sons and I spend a lot of time outside every winter. Sledding, building snow forts, snowmen, having snowball fights, and even shoveling the snow can be fun.
That magic of wintertime comes home in the new picture book Snowbots, by Aaron Reynolds and illustrated by David Barneda. The cover, showing five robots arming themselves with snowballs atop a snow fort, made me pick it up. After bringing it home, my boys (ages 6 and 8) and I read it together twice.
The rhyming text tells the story of Clackentown, a small village populated by robots of all shapes and sizes. While the robots are in “sleep mode,” a snowstorm hits, blanketing their town and closing down Bottley Grade School. The robots run and roll and clank out onto the hills and yards, starting out with sledding, then making snow angels, ice sculptures, and finally a big snowball fight. There are three main robots in the story—siblings that appear on most of the pages. We see their mom and dad, although really this story is all about what the kids are doing.
The illustrations are charming, and even the robots with tank treads or chainsaw arms look friendly and downright cute. You’ll catch a bit of R2-D2 in one, or WALL-E in another, but overall they’re completely original designs, and as colorful and creative as you’d find in any picture book.
Even though they’re robots, the fun has to end sometime, and it ends with them safe and warm, back at home with Mom and Dad. It turns out even robots have bathtime and bedtime, and even get tucked in under warm blankets and get “Eskimo kisses on metal noses.”
This is a sweet story that any kids could relate to, whether it snows there or not. My boys loved the robots and the details in the pictures; I loved the traditional snowy magic that fits in so well with what my sons do all winter long. If you’ve got sledders and snow angel-makers in your house, they’ll love Snowbots.
That magic of wintertime comes home in the new picture book Snowbots, by Aaron Reynolds and illustrated by David Barneda. The cover, showing five robots arming themselves with snowballs atop a snow fort, made me pick it up. After bringing it home, my boys (ages 6 and 8) and I read it together twice.
The rhyming text tells the story of Clackentown, a small village populated by robots of all shapes and sizes. While the robots are in “sleep mode,” a snowstorm hits, blanketing their town and closing down Bottley Grade School. The robots run and roll and clank out onto the hills and yards, starting out with sledding, then making snow angels, ice sculptures, and finally a big snowball fight. There are three main robots in the story—siblings that appear on most of the pages. We see their mom and dad, although really this story is all about what the kids are doing.
The illustrations are charming, and even the robots with tank treads or chainsaw arms look friendly and downright cute. You’ll catch a bit of R2-D2 in one, or WALL-E in another, but overall they’re completely original designs, and as colorful and creative as you’d find in any picture book.
Even though they’re robots, the fun has to end sometime, and it ends with them safe and warm, back at home with Mom and Dad. It turns out even robots have bathtime and bedtime, and even get tucked in under warm blankets and get “Eskimo kisses on metal noses.”
This is a sweet story that any kids could relate to, whether it snows there or not. My boys loved the robots and the details in the pictures; I loved the traditional snowy magic that fits in so well with what my sons do all winter long. If you’ve got sledders and snow angel-makers in your house, they’ll love Snowbots.
February 20, 2017
An imaginative picture book with rhyming, robots, and snow! Would be a great read aloud to elementary students and the possibilities of extension activities are endless. I like that robots are portrayed as children in this book but there are small changes (like cereal with gasoline, or soaking in an oil bath instead of a water bath) that make it fun. Not appropriate for my MS library, but it's too cute to pass up for elementary.
February 5, 2018
Cute!
This has really cute drawings and funny rhymes. My 5 year old totally loved it. I would read it again. My 2 year old asks for it nightly!
This has really cute drawings and funny rhymes. My 5 year old totally loved it. I would read it again. My 2 year old asks for it nightly!
July 18, 2013
This book was a good book. It put a twist on robots. I like how the author used character to bring life to the robots. The author did a great job of this. The robots seemed like real children on a snow day and like real moms and dads taking care of their children. The author even added character to the robots by showing the robot kids eating, what would be to humans, cereal in the morning before school. I think that this helps the kids relate to the story. If it were just about robots doing robot robot things like taking scans of the earth and trips to different planets, then I don't think it would the attention of the younger audience as well as having robots eat cereal, play in snow and warm up by the fire place. The strategy I would take from this book would be to think outside of the box. You can add character to things that don't have life at all. So take advantage of that to make a story more interesting.
December 15, 2010
Title: Snowbots by Aaron Reynolds and David Barneda
Summary: Robot children enjoy a perfect snowday.
Rating: Yes
Age: 4-6 years
Pros:
The idea of robot children enjoying a day off for snow is amusing, and sure to delight boys and girls alike.
Written in rhyme, the language is descriptive with hints of surprise. For example, “To warm up every part and piece, there’s cocoa spiked with axle grease”.
The illustrations are clear and easy to follow.
The book progresses logically with a clear beginning, middle and end.
Cons:
The book moves through the story a little quickly at times, layering lots of action that is excessive and distracting from the main storyline.
Usage: Could work for preschool and kindergarten storytime as well as independent reading.
Summary: Robot children enjoy a perfect snowday.
Rating: Yes
Age: 4-6 years
Pros:
The idea of robot children enjoying a day off for snow is amusing, and sure to delight boys and girls alike.
Written in rhyme, the language is descriptive with hints of surprise. For example, “To warm up every part and piece, there’s cocoa spiked with axle grease”.
The illustrations are clear and easy to follow.
The book progresses logically with a clear beginning, middle and end.
Cons:
The book moves through the story a little quickly at times, layering lots of action that is excessive and distracting from the main storyline.
Usage: Could work for preschool and kindergarten storytime as well as independent reading.
January 31, 2011
Looking for a new spin on these seemingly endless snowstorms? Try SNOWBOTS! Although the rhyme is a bit clunky in spots, the ideas and imagery are unusual and fun: young robots prep for school by rubbing rust out of their eyes and having "cereal with gasoline". When school is cancelled, robots dash outside, "remote control completely lost." A little girl robot makes a snow angel with her "wing nuts waving up and down", and making ice sculptures is easy "thanks, in part, to chainsaw hands." When the cold becomes too much, robot parents have to step in to administer hot oil baths with copper duckies, and warming recharges. But young robots hope for tomorrow and -- more snow! YOU may have to stifle a groan at that last line, but kids will (probably) still side with the robots.
March 22, 2011
Snowbots is a winter story in a city filled with robots. Young robots rub rust out of their eyes when they awake. They are thrilled to get a snow day! They launch themselves down the hill in Scrapyard Park. They join in making ice sculptures, snow angels and more on their day off. Brain freeze is a real danger for these robots. Thank goodness the parents are there to rescue their iced-up children. Getting frozen has not reduced the love these children have for snow.
Students could compare their morning routines with those of the robots. It'd be fun for kids to make ads on the dangers of snow for robots.
Aaron Reynolds is also the author of Superhero School and Joey Fly, Private Eye.
Students could compare their morning routines with those of the robots. It'd be fun for kids to make ads on the dangers of snow for robots.
Aaron Reynolds is also the author of Superhero School and Joey Fly, Private Eye.
January 19, 2011
I wasn't wild over this book about robots having a snow day. The idea is clever but the delivery was lukewarm. Maybe too long? Maybe a stretch to reach the rhymes in the text? Perhaps the visuals of the cannon shooting a robot to pieces...or maybe of robots frozen in ice with horrific looks on their mechanical faces? Whatever it was, this isn't one that I would select for a storytime.
March 31, 2013
4.5
Not the absolute best book, but a really good one. The summary, describing mixing two of children's favorites - robots and snow days, does a good job of setting the stage. Robot kids have a fanciful day when their school is canceled, snowball fights, snowmen, etc.
A worthwhile addition to your home library. Especially fun for a cold, winter day.
Recommend.
Not the absolute best book, but a really good one. The summary, describing mixing two of children's favorites - robots and snow days, does a good job of setting the stage. Robot kids have a fanciful day when their school is canceled, snowball fights, snowmen, etc.
A worthwhile addition to your home library. Especially fun for a cold, winter day.
Recommend.
January 30, 2013
A fun, new 'mechanical' twist on every kid's joy and excitement over a snow-day. When the robot children have an upexpected day off, they pile on the warm clothes and head outside for some snow-angel, sledding, snowball throwing fun!
Snowbots, a delightful story in rhyme plays up the differences between humans and robots with some giggle-inducing, squeaky-laugh humor!
Snowbots, a delightful story in rhyme plays up the differences between humans and robots with some giggle-inducing, squeaky-laugh humor!
May 25, 2013
First page. Look in the upper right corner. SCARY FACE!
A robot child with a removable chainsaw arm, another one in camouflage, the third has scissorhands. Why are they battle bots with human-skin faces? Ah! Texas Chainsaw Massacre!
Plus, they're snowbots, but they turn into ice chunks from a freezing breeze. The whole story and illustrations are nonsense. And not the good kind.
A robot child with a removable chainsaw arm, another one in camouflage, the third has scissorhands. Why are they battle bots with human-skin faces? Ah! Texas Chainsaw Massacre!
Plus, they're snowbots, but they turn into ice chunks from a freezing breeze. The whole story and illustrations are nonsense. And not the good kind.
November 22, 2010
Snow has arrived in Clackentown, and all the robot children get a no-school Snow day! They rub the rust out of their eyes and go out to build snow forts, make snow angels, and sled down snowy hills. Rhyming text, great vocabulary; awesome details.
December 20, 2010
I love the idea of robot kiddos having a snow day...but I wasn't a fan of them blasting each other with snowball cannons and drinking spiked cocoa to read to my son or my students. I like the rhythm of the book and the language but I am hesitant to read it with my son or students.
May 14, 2011
24 Months - We enjoyed this one. A very different spin on a snow day. We like robots and snow! This book had a good rhyme, fun illustrations and complex vocabulary building words. For a little girl with a huge vocabulary this was a fun read and she had no problem following the story.
November 1, 2013
Creepy Carrots is one of my kids' favorite books, so we are in the process of checking out all of Aaron Reynolds' other books. Snowbots did not disappoint. The robots in this story are all so different and spurred a lot of questions about their workings. Fun stuff.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews